Personnel, Japan (Families)

asked the Secretary of State for War what scheme is now in operation for the transport to Japan from this country and India of the families of members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force; how many families have asked for passages; and how soon he expects they will all have been transported.

There is a scheme for sending families to Japan similar to those in force in most other overseas commands. Fifty-three applications by officers and other ranks were received in the War Office in November with assurances from the Headquarters concerned that accommodation was available. We then hoped that the families would all leave in January. As a result, however, of certain changes in the Force in Japan the departure of families has had to be held up until we receive confirmation that the men concerned will actually be remaining in Japan, I cannot, therefore, say at the moment when all the families will have left.